EP3395155B1 - Multi-section header with offset pivot axis - Google Patents
Multi-section header with offset pivot axis Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3395155B1 EP3395155B1 EP18169478.7A EP18169478A EP3395155B1 EP 3395155 B1 EP3395155 B1 EP 3395155B1 EP 18169478 A EP18169478 A EP 18169478A EP 3395155 B1 EP3395155 B1 EP 3395155B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- frame section
- link
- center frame
- pivot
- harvesting head
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 241001124569 Lycaenidae Species 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003134 recirculating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D41/00—Combines, i.e. harvesters or mowers combined with threshing devices
- A01D41/12—Details of combines
- A01D41/14—Mowing tables
- A01D41/144—Foldable headers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/02—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having reciprocating cutters
- A01D34/28—Adjusting devices for the cutter-bar
- A01D34/283—Adjustment of the cutter bar in a vertical plane, i.e. to adjust the angle between the cutter bar and the soil
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D34/00—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters
- A01D34/01—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus
- A01D34/02—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having reciprocating cutters
- A01D34/03—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having reciprocating cutters mounted on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor, or drawn by an animal or a vehicle
- A01D34/04—Mowers; Mowing apparatus of harvesters characterised by features relating to the type of cutting apparatus having reciprocating cutters mounted on a vehicle, e.g. a tractor, or drawn by an animal or a vehicle with cutters at the front
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D41/00—Combines, i.e. harvesters or mowers combined with threshing devices
- A01D41/12—Details of combines
- A01D41/14—Mowing tables
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D2101/00—Lawn-mowers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01D—HARVESTING; MOWING
- A01D57/00—Delivering mechanisms for harvesters or mowers
- A01D57/20—Delivering mechanisms for harvesters or mowers with conveyor belts
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to agricultural harvesters. More particularly it relates to agricultural harvesting heads for agricultural combines. More particularly it relates to agricultural harvesting heads with multiple sections that are coupled together to pivot with respect to each other.
- Agricultural harvesters such as agricultural combines, are designed to travel through agricultural fields harvesting crops. Agricultural combines receive crop severed from the ground and convey it to threshing, separating and cleaning devices within the agricultural combine.
- the agricultural harvesting head severs the crop from the ground and conveys it to the central region of the harvesting head where it is then conveyed rearward into a central and forwardly opening aperture in the front of the agricultural combine proper.
- Agricultural harvesting heads are quite long, on the order of 10-15 m in overall length. In order to accurately follow the contours of the ground and sever crop at the appropriate point on the stem, agricultural harvesting heads have been made in sections that are generally hinged with respect to each other.
- a typical agricultural harvesting head of this type is formed in two or three sections that are pivotable with respect to each other. They pivot with respect to each other about a generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending axis.
- a two section agricultural harvesting head would have one pivot axis
- a three-section agricultural harvesting head would have two pivot axes.
- the agricultural harvesting head is a draper head having three frame sections (a center section, a left wing section and a right wing section).
- each of the wing sections are hinged with respect to the center section about two pivot joints with pivot pins (see: Fig. 6, items 17H, 27; Fig. 20, items 71A, 71B).
- the pivot joints define a pivot line that is disposed outboard of the center frame and outside of the central aperture in the center frame through which cut crop is transmitted during operation.
- the wing sections pivot with respect to the center section about these pivot joints.
- An agricultural harvesting head for an agricultural harvester including: a left frame section; a center frame section; an upper left link pivotally coupled to the left frame section at a distal end of the upper left link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the upper left link; a lower left link pivotally coupled to the left frame section at a distal end of the lower left link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the lower left link; a right frame section; an upper right link pivotally coupled to the right frame section at a distal end of the upper right link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the upper right link; and a lower right link pivotally coupled to the right frame section at a distal end of the lower right link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the lower right link.
- Each of the left frame section, the center frame section, and the right frame section supports a corresponding endless belt conveyor
- each endless belt conveyor includes an endless belt and at least a proximal roller and a distal roller about which the endless belt recirculates
- the proximal roller of the conveyor of the left frame section rotates about an axis of rotation that is collinear with a pivot axis about which the left frame section is constrained to pivot with respect to the center frame section
- the proximal roller of the conveyor of the right frame section rotates about an axis of rotation that is collinear with a pivot axis about which the right frame section is constrained to pivot with respect to the center frame section.
- the upper left link and the lower left link may constrain the left frame section to pivot up and down with respect to the center frame section about a first point.
- the upper right link and the lower right link may constrain the right frame section to pivot up and down with respect to the center frame section about a second point.
- the center frame section may define a large central aperture that defines a longitudinally extending cut crop flow path passing through the center frame section, and the first point and the second point maybe disposed inside the large central aperture.
- the left frame section may be elongate and may be coupled to and extend longitudinally away from a left side of the center frame section to which it is coupled, and the right frame section may be elongate and may be coupled to and extend longitudinally away from a right side of the center frame section.
- the left frame section, the center frame section and the right frame section may have forwardly extending members to which a reciprocating knife is attached.
- a first conveyor may be supported on the left frame section and may include a first generally planar upper conveying surface
- a second conveyor may be supported on the right frame section and may include a second generally planar upper conveying surface, and the first conveying surface and the second conveying surface may be coplanar in at least one operating position.
- the upper left link may couple the left frame section to the center frame section by attachment to a first pivot joint on the left frame section and by attachment to a second pivot joint on the center frame section, wherein the first pivot joint is disposed above the second pivot joint.
- the upper right link may couple the right frame section to the center frame section by attachment to a third pivot joint on the right frame section and by attachment to fourth pivot joint on the center frame section, wherein the third pivot joint is disposed above the fourth pivot joint.
- the upper left link and the lower left link may be coupled to both the left frame section and the center frame section to pivot with respect to each section about generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending pivot axes.
- the upper right link and the lower right link may be coupled to both the right frame section and the center frame section to pivot with respect to each section about generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending pivot axes.
- an agricultural harvester 100 comprises an agricultural combine 102 and an agricultural harvesting head 104.
- the agricultural combine 102 comprises a chassis 106 which is supported on four ground supports 108, as well as a threshing and separating system 112, a cleaning system 114, and a feederhouse 110 extending forward from the front of the agricultural combine 102.
- the agricultural combine 102 further comprises a grain storage chamber (also known as a "grain tank” or “grain reservoir”) that is disposed at the top of the agricultural combine 102 and receives grain that has been threshed, separated, and cleaned.
- the agricultural combine 102 is a self-propelled vehicle which is driven over the ground by a power source such as electric motors or internal combustion engines.
- the ground supports 108 are preferably wheels or tracks. At least two of them are driven in rotation by motors to propel the agricultural combine 102 over the ground.
- the feederhouse 110 is pivotally connected to the front of the agricultural combine and extends forward therefrom.
- the feederhouse 110 is generally in the form of a hollow and generally rectangular box having an endless belt conveyor disposed inside.
- the hollow rectangular box has an open forward end and an open rear end.
- the forward end of the feederhouse 110 defines a generally rectangular and robust frame 116 that is configured to support the agricultural harvesting head 104.
- a front roller 118 is disposed immediately inside the frame 116.
- a corresponding rear roller 120 is disposed at the rear end of the feederhouse 110.
- the front roller 118 and the rear roller 120 support opposing ends of a conveyor belt 122.
- Each of the front roller 118 and the rear roller 120 may be in the form of a narrow shaft with a plurality of sprockets or gears that engage the inner surface of the conveyor belt 122.
- a rotary motor (electric or hydraulic) is coupled to the rear roller 120 to drive the rear roller 120 in rotation. This rotation causes the conveyor belt 122 to recirculate in an endless fashion around the front roller 118 and the rear roller 120.
- the conveyor belt 122 has protrusions, such as cleats or lugs that engage a top surface of a mat of cut crop (not shown) that is presented to the frame 116.
- the movement of the conveyor belt 122 draws the mat into the feederhouse and carries it upward on the floor of the feederhouse until it is conveyed through the open rear end of the feederhouse 110 and sent to the threshing, separating and cleaning systems of the agricultural combine 102.
- the frame 116 is generally rectangular and includes a top member and a bottom member that are generally parallel to each other, are spaced apart, extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of the agricultural harvesting head 104, and extend horizontally.
- the frame 116 also includes a left side member and a right side member that are parallel to each other, spaced apart, and extend vertically.
- the agricultural harvesting head 104 includes a laterally extending main frame 124 that extends perpendicular to a fore-and-aft harvesting direction of travel "V" of the agricultural harvester 100 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the agricultural combine 102.
- the agricultural harvesting head 104 further includes an elongate reciprocating knife 128 that extends across almost the entire width of the agricultural harvesting head 104. This reciprocating knife is disposed immediately in front of three cut crop conveyors.
- These three cut crop conveyors include a left side conveyor 130 that carries cut crop from the left side of the agricultural harvesting head 104 to a central region of the agricultural harvesting head 104, a right side conveyor 132 that carries crop from the right side of the agricultural harvesting head 104 to the central region of the agricultural harvesting head 104, and a central conveyor 134 that receives crop from the left side conveyor 130 and the right side conveyor 132, and conveys the cut crop rearward and underneath a drum conveyor 136.
- Each of these three conveyors is an endless belt conveyor and is disposed immediately behind the reciprocating knife 128 to receive crop cut by the reciprocating knife 128.
- the laterally extending main frame 124 includes three frame sections that are coupled together to pivot with respect to each other about fore-and-aft extending axes.
- Left frame section 138 extends from the outer left end of the agricultural harvesting head to a central region of the agricultural harvesting head 104.
- Center frame section 140 extends across a middle portion of the agricultural harvesting head 104.
- Right frame section 142 extends from the outer right end of the agricultural harvesting head 104 to the central region of the agricultural harvesting head 104.
- the left side of conveyor 130 is supported on the left frame section 138.
- Several rollers including a proximal roller 202 adjacent to the center frame section 140 and distal roller 204 adjacent to the leftmost end of the left frame section 138 are provided to support an endless belt 206.
- a motor (not shown) drives the proximal roller 202 in rotation.
- the proximal roller 202 recirculates in turn the endless belt 206 about the proximal roller 202 and the distal roller 204. Crop material cut by the reciprocating knife 128 in front of the left frame section 138 falls upon the top surface of the endless belt 206 and is drawn toward the center frame section 140.
- the inner end of the left frame section 138 is connected to the center frame section 140 to pivot up and down at its outer end with respect to the center frame section 140.
- the inner end of the right frame section 142 is connected to the center frame section 140 to pivot up and down at its outer end with respect to the center frame section 140.
- An upper left link 144 and a lower left link 146 extend between and couple the left frame section 138 and the center frame section 140.
- a proximal end of the upper left link 144 is coupled to the center frame section 140 by a first pivot joint 148 and is configured to pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 about a first axis 150 that extends generally in the direction of travel "V".
- An opposing distal end of the upper left link 144 is coupled to the left frame section 138 by a second pivot joint 152 and is configured to pivot with respect to the left frame section 138 about a second axis 154 that extends in the direction of travel "V".
- a proximal end of the lower left link 146 is coupled to the center frame section 140 by a third pivot joint 156 and is configured to pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 about a third axis 158 that extends in the direction of travel "V".
- An opposing distal end of the lower left link 146 is coupled to the left frame section 138 by a fourth pivot joint 160 and is configured to pivot with respect to the left frame section 138 about a second axis 162 that extends in the direction of travel "V".
- a hinge joint 164 is disposed adjacent to the reciprocating knife 128 at a forward edge of the agricultural harvesting head 104.
- the hinge joint 164 couples a forwardly extending member 166 of the center frame section 140 to a forwardly extending member 168 of the left frame section 138.
- the attachment points of the proximal ends of the upper left link 144 and the lower left link 146 are closer together (as measured in a vertical direction) than the attachment points of the distal ends of the upper left link 144 and the lower left link 146.
- the two attachment points of the upper left link 144 define a first construction line 174 extending through both of the attachment points of the upper left link 144.
- the two attachment points of the lower left link 146 define a second construction line 176 extending through the attachment points of the lower left link 146.
- the first construction line and the second construction line are not parallel. When viewed from the rear of the agricultural harvesting head 104 they intersect each other at a point of intersection 170. Whenever the left frame section 138 pivots up and down with respect to the center frame section 140, these sections pivot with respect to each other about the point of intersection 170.
- the point of intersection 170 is located closer to the longitudinal and vertical mid-plane of the center frame section 140 than all four of the attachment points of the upper left link 144 and the lower left link 146 to the left frame section 138 and the center frame section 140.
- the pivoting axis of the hinge joint 164 is disposed forward of and slightly below the point of intersection 170 of the two construction lines.
- the left frame section 138 is constrained by the hinge joint 164, the upper left link 144 and the lower left link 146 to pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 about a pivot line 172 that extends through the point of intersection 170 and through the pivoting axis of the hinge joint 164.
- the pivot line 172 also extends through or immediately adjacent to the reciprocating knife 128. In this manner, whenever the left frame section 138 pivots with respect to the center frame section 140, the reciprocating knife 128 (which extends across both the left frame section 138 and the center frame section 140) can flex without being torn apart.
- the center frame section 140 is in the form of a generally rectangular frame having generally horizontal and parallel top and bottom members 202, 204, and generally vertical and parallel left side and right side members 206, 208. These four members define the four sides of a central aperture 200. All of the cut crop material harvested by the agricultural harvesting head 104 passes through the central aperture 200. It is subsequently conveyed into the open front end of the feederhouse 110 and carried into the combine itself.
- the reciprocating knife 128 is typically close to the ground where it can sever plant stalks close to the ground.
- the rear portion of the three frame sections, the upper left link 144 and the lower left link 146 are commonly elevated above the ground to provide ground clearance. For this reason, the pivot line 172 extends forward and slightly downwardly from the point of intersection 170 to the hinge joint 164.
- the left side conveyor 130 is supported on the left frame section 138.
- the left side conveyor 130 includes several rollers that support an endless belt 206 for recirculating movement around the rollers.
- the several rollers include a proximal roller 202 that is located adjacent to the center frame section 140 and distal roller 204 that is located adjacent to the leftmost end of the left frame section 138.
- the pivot line 172 extends through the proximal roller 202.
- the rotational axis of the proximal roller 202 is collinear with the pivot line 172.
- a rotary motor (not shown) is coupled to and drives the proximal roller 202 in rotation, which in turn recirculates an endless belt 206 about the proximal roller 202 and the distal roller 204. Crop material cut by the portion of the reciprocating knife 128 located in front of the left frame section 138 falls upon the top surface of the endless belt 206 and is drawn toward the center frame section 140.
- the agricultural harvesting head 104 is in all material respects mirror symmetric about a longitudinally and vertically extending plane that passes through a lateral midpoint of the center frame section 140.
- the description above regarding the left frame section 138, left side conveyor 130, and center frame section 140 apply equally to the right frame section 142, the right side conveyor 132 and the center frame section 140.
- these mirror symmetric components are shown in Fig. 3 followed identified by their left side component number followed by a single quotation mark (e.g. 144', 146', 164', 170', 172', 174', and 176').
- this mirror symmetric arrangement means that both left frame section 138 and the right frame section 142 pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 about pivot lines 172 and 172', respectively. Further, both of these pivot axes extend through the central aperture 200 of the center frame section 140.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Harvester Elements (AREA)
- Agricultural Machines (AREA)
- Harvesting Machines For Specific Crops (AREA)
Description
- This invention relates generally to agricultural harvesters. More particularly it relates to agricultural harvesting heads for agricultural combines. More particularly it relates to agricultural harvesting heads with multiple sections that are coupled together to pivot with respect to each other.
- Agricultural harvesters, such as agricultural combines, are designed to travel through agricultural fields harvesting crops. Agricultural combines receive crop severed from the ground and convey it to threshing, separating and cleaning devices within the agricultural combine.
- In a typical arrangement, the agricultural harvesting head severs the crop from the ground and conveys it to the central region of the harvesting head where it is then conveyed rearward into a central and forwardly opening aperture in the front of the agricultural combine proper.
- Agricultural harvesting heads are quite long, on the order of 10-15 m in overall length. In order to accurately follow the contours of the ground and sever crop at the appropriate point on the stem, agricultural harvesting heads have been made in sections that are generally hinged with respect to each other. A typical agricultural harvesting head of this type is formed in two or three sections that are pivotable with respect to each other. They pivot with respect to each other about a generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending axis. Thus, a two section agricultural harvesting head would have one pivot axis, and a three-section agricultural harvesting head would have two pivot axes.
- In the past, simple pivots or hinges were provided to permit the sections to pivot with respect to each other.
- See, for example
US 9198353 (B2 - In another arrangement (
US 6675568 B2 ) the agricultural harvesting head is a draper head having three frame sections (a center section, a left wing section and a right wing section). In this arrangement each of the wing sections are hinged with respect to the center section about two pivot joints with pivot pins (see: Fig. 6, items 17H, 27; Fig. 20, items 71A, 71B). In this arrangement, the pivot joints define a pivot line that is disposed outboard of the center frame and outside of the central aperture in the center frame through which cut crop is transmitted during operation. The wing sections pivot with respect to the center section about these pivot joints. - To provide space for other mechanical elements and/or crop flow at the rear of the agricultural harvesting head, it would be beneficial to eliminate the simple hinge joint/hinge pin arrangement at the rear of the harvesting head, yet still constrain the two frame sections to pivot about a generally forward extending axis. It is an object of this invention to provide these advantages in one or more of the embodiments described in one or more of the claims below.
-
DE 601 13 599 T2 andDE 41 03 011 A1 , both considered as generic, describe headers for harvesting machines with side parts connected to a center part with a parallelogram mechanism for moving the side parts into an inoperative position for transport. - An agricultural harvesting head for an agricultural harvester is provided, including: a left frame section; a center frame section; an upper left link pivotally coupled to the left frame section at a distal end of the upper left link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the upper left link; a lower left link pivotally coupled to the left frame section at a distal end of the lower left link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the lower left link; a right frame section; an upper right link pivotally coupled to the right frame section at a distal end of the upper right link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the upper right link; and a lower right link pivotally coupled to the right frame section at a distal end of the lower right link and pivotally coupled to the center frame section at a proximal end of the lower right link. Each of the left frame section, the center frame section, and the right frame section supports a corresponding endless belt conveyor, and each endless belt conveyor includes an endless belt and at least a proximal roller and a distal roller about which the endless belt recirculates, and the proximal roller of the conveyor of the left frame section rotates about an axis of rotation that is collinear with a pivot axis about which the left frame section is constrained to pivot with respect to the center frame section, and the proximal roller of the conveyor of the right frame section rotates about an axis of rotation that is collinear with a pivot axis about which the right frame section is constrained to pivot with respect to the center frame section.
- The upper left link and the lower left link may constrain the left frame section to pivot up and down with respect to the center frame section about a first point.
- The upper right link and the lower right link may constrain the right frame section to pivot up and down with respect to the center frame section about a second point.
- The center frame section may define a large central aperture that defines a longitudinally extending cut crop flow path passing through the center frame section, and the first point and the second point maybe disposed inside the large central aperture.
- The left frame section may be elongate and may be coupled to and extend longitudinally away from a left side of the center frame section to which it is coupled, and the right frame section may be elongate and may be coupled to and extend longitudinally away from a right side of the center frame section. The left frame section, the center frame section and the right frame section may have forwardly extending members to which a reciprocating knife is attached.
- A first conveyor may be supported on the left frame section and may include a first generally planar upper conveying surface, and a second conveyor may be supported on the right frame section and may include a second generally planar upper conveying surface, and the first conveying surface and the second conveying surface may be coplanar in at least one operating position.
- The upper left link may couple the left frame section to the center frame section by attachment to a first pivot joint on the left frame section and by attachment to a second pivot joint on the center frame section, wherein the first pivot joint is disposed above the second pivot joint.
- The upper right link may couple the right frame section to the center frame section by attachment to a third pivot joint on the right frame section and by attachment to fourth pivot joint on the center frame section, wherein the third pivot joint is disposed above the fourth pivot joint.
- The upper left link and the lower left link may be coupled to both the left frame section and the center frame section to pivot with respect to each section about generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending pivot axes.
- The upper right link and the lower right link may be coupled to both the right frame section and the center frame section to pivot with respect to each section about generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending pivot axes.
-
- Fig. 1
- illustrates an agricultural harvester in side view in accordance with the present invention.
- Fig. 2
- illustrates the agricultural harvester of
Figure 1 in front-left perspective view and showing details of the agricultural harvesting head. - Fig. 3
- is a fractional perspective view of the left, right, and center frame sections of the agricultural harvesting head of
Figures 1-2 with the conveyors removed. - Fig. 4
- is a fractional rear view of the left and center frame sections shown in
Figure 3 . - Fig. 5
- is a slightly elevated fractional rear view of the left and center frame sections shown in
Figures 3-4 . - In
Figure 1 , anagricultural harvester 100 comprises anagricultural combine 102 and anagricultural harvesting head 104. Theagricultural combine 102 comprises achassis 106 which is supported on fourground supports 108, as well as a threshing andseparating system 112, acleaning system 114, and afeederhouse 110 extending forward from the front of theagricultural combine 102. Theagricultural combine 102 further comprises a grain storage chamber (also known as a "grain tank" or "grain reservoir") that is disposed at the top of theagricultural combine 102 and receives grain that has been threshed, separated, and cleaned. - The
agricultural combine 102 is a self-propelled vehicle which is driven over the ground by a power source such as electric motors or internal combustion engines. The ground supports 108 are preferably wheels or tracks. At least two of them are driven in rotation by motors to propel theagricultural combine 102 over the ground. - The
feederhouse 110 is pivotally connected to the front of the agricultural combine and extends forward therefrom. Thefeederhouse 110 is generally in the form of a hollow and generally rectangular box having an endless belt conveyor disposed inside. The hollow rectangular box has an open forward end and an open rear end. The forward end of thefeederhouse 110 defines a generally rectangular androbust frame 116 that is configured to support theagricultural harvesting head 104. Afront roller 118 is disposed immediately inside theframe 116. A correspondingrear roller 120 is disposed at the rear end of thefeederhouse 110. Thefront roller 118 and therear roller 120 support opposing ends of aconveyor belt 122. Each of thefront roller 118 and therear roller 120 may be in the form of a narrow shaft with a plurality of sprockets or gears that engage the inner surface of theconveyor belt 122. A rotary motor (electric or hydraulic) is coupled to therear roller 120 to drive therear roller 120 in rotation. This rotation causes theconveyor belt 122 to recirculate in an endless fashion around thefront roller 118 and therear roller 120. Theconveyor belt 122 has protrusions, such as cleats or lugs that engage a top surface of a mat of cut crop (not shown) that is presented to theframe 116. The movement of theconveyor belt 122 draws the mat into the feederhouse and carries it upward on the floor of the feederhouse until it is conveyed through the open rear end of thefeederhouse 110 and sent to the threshing, separating and cleaning systems of theagricultural combine 102. - The
frame 116 is generally rectangular and includes a top member and a bottom member that are generally parallel to each other, are spaced apart, extend generally parallel to the longitudinal extent of theagricultural harvesting head 104, and extend horizontally. Theframe 116 also includes a left side member and a right side member that are parallel to each other, spaced apart, and extend vertically. - The
agricultural harvesting head 104 includes a laterally extendingmain frame 124 that extends perpendicular to a fore-and-aft harvesting direction of travel "V" of theagricultural harvester 100 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of theagricultural combine 102. Theagricultural harvesting head 104 further includes anelongate reciprocating knife 128 that extends across almost the entire width of theagricultural harvesting head 104. This reciprocating knife is disposed immediately in front of three cut crop conveyors. These three cut crop conveyors include aleft side conveyor 130 that carries cut crop from the left side of theagricultural harvesting head 104 to a central region of theagricultural harvesting head 104, aright side conveyor 132 that carries crop from the right side of theagricultural harvesting head 104 to the central region of theagricultural harvesting head 104, and acentral conveyor 134 that receives crop from theleft side conveyor 130 and theright side conveyor 132, and conveys the cut crop rearward and underneath adrum conveyor 136. Each of these three conveyors is an endless belt conveyor and is disposed immediately behind thereciprocating knife 128 to receive crop cut by the reciprocatingknife 128. - The laterally extending
main frame 124 includes three frame sections that are coupled together to pivot with respect to each other about fore-and-aft extending axes. Left frame section 138 extends from the outer left end of the agricultural harvesting head to a central region of theagricultural harvesting head 104. Center frame section 140 extends across a middle portion of theagricultural harvesting head 104. Right frame section 142 extends from the outer right end of theagricultural harvesting head 104 to the central region of theagricultural harvesting head 104. - The left side of
conveyor 130 is supported on the left frame section 138. Several rollers, including aproximal roller 202 adjacent to the center frame section 140 anddistal roller 204 adjacent to the leftmost end of the left frame section 138 are provided to support anendless belt 206. A motor (not shown) drives theproximal roller 202 in rotation. Theproximal roller 202 recirculates in turn theendless belt 206 about theproximal roller 202 and thedistal roller 204. Crop material cut by the reciprocatingknife 128 in front of the left frame section 138 falls upon the top surface of theendless belt 206 and is drawn toward the center frame section 140. - The inner end of the left frame section 138 is connected to the center frame section 140 to pivot up and down at its outer end with respect to the center frame section 140. The inner end of the right frame section 142 is connected to the center frame section 140 to pivot up and down at its outer end with respect to the center frame section 140.
- An upper
left link 144 and a lowerleft link 146 extend between and couple the left frame section 138 and the center frame section 140. - A proximal end of the upper
left link 144 is coupled to the center frame section 140 by a first pivot joint 148 and is configured to pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 about afirst axis 150 that extends generally in the direction of travel "V". - An opposing distal end of the upper
left link 144 is coupled to the left frame section 138 by a second pivot joint 152 and is configured to pivot with respect to the left frame section 138 about asecond axis 154 that extends in the direction of travel "V". - A proximal end of the lower
left link 146 is coupled to the center frame section 140 by a third pivot joint 156 and is configured to pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 about athird axis 158 that extends in the direction of travel "V". - An opposing distal end of the lower
left link 146 is coupled to the left frame section 138 by a fourth pivot joint 160 and is configured to pivot with respect to the left frame section 138 about asecond axis 162 that extends in the direction of travel "V". - A
hinge joint 164 is disposed adjacent to thereciprocating knife 128 at a forward edge of theagricultural harvesting head 104. The hinge joint 164 couples a forwardly extendingmember 166 of the center frame section 140 to a forwardly extendingmember 168 of the left frame section 138. - The attachment points of the proximal ends of the upper
left link 144 and the lowerleft link 146 are closer together (as measured in a vertical direction) than the attachment points of the distal ends of the upperleft link 144 and the lowerleft link 146. - The two attachment points of the upper
left link 144 define afirst construction line 174 extending through both of the attachment points of the upperleft link 144. The two attachment points of the lowerleft link 146 define asecond construction line 176 extending through the attachment points of the lowerleft link 146. - The first construction line and the second construction line are not parallel. When viewed from the rear of the
agricultural harvesting head 104 they intersect each other at a point ofintersection 170. Whenever the left frame section 138 pivots up and down with respect to the center frame section 140, these sections pivot with respect to each other about the point ofintersection 170. - In the illustrated example, the point of
intersection 170 is located closer to the longitudinal and vertical mid-plane of the center frame section 140 than all four of the attachment points of the upperleft link 144 and the lowerleft link 146 to the left frame section 138 and the center frame section 140. - The pivoting axis of the hinge joint 164 is disposed forward of and slightly below the point of
intersection 170 of the two construction lines. Thus, the left frame section 138 is constrained by the hinge joint 164, the upperleft link 144 and the lowerleft link 146 to pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 about apivot line 172 that extends through the point ofintersection 170 and through the pivoting axis of thehinge joint 164. Thepivot line 172 also extends through or immediately adjacent to thereciprocating knife 128. In this manner, whenever the left frame section 138 pivots with respect to the center frame section 140, the reciprocating knife 128 (which extends across both the left frame section 138 and the center frame section 140) can flex without being torn apart. - The center frame section 140 is in the form of a generally rectangular frame having generally horizontal and parallel top and
bottom members right side members central aperture 200. All of the cut crop material harvested by theagricultural harvesting head 104 passes through thecentral aperture 200. It is subsequently conveyed into the open front end of thefeederhouse 110 and carried into the combine itself. - The
reciprocating knife 128 is typically close to the ground where it can sever plant stalks close to the ground. The rear portion of the three frame sections, the upperleft link 144 and the lowerleft link 146 are commonly elevated above the ground to provide ground clearance. For this reason, thepivot line 172 extends forward and slightly downwardly from the point ofintersection 170 to thehinge joint 164. - The
left side conveyor 130 is supported on the left frame section 138. Theleft side conveyor 130 includes several rollers that support anendless belt 206 for recirculating movement around the rollers. The several rollers include aproximal roller 202 that is located adjacent to the center frame section 140 anddistal roller 204 that is located adjacent to the leftmost end of the left frame section 138. - The
pivot line 172 extends through theproximal roller 202. The rotational axis of theproximal roller 202 is collinear with thepivot line 172. Thus, when the left frame section 138 pivots up and down with respect to the center frame section 140, theproximal roller 202 does not move with respect to the left frame section 138 and the center frame section 140. Further, since the frame sections do not move with respect to each other, theleft side conveyor 130 and thecentral conveyor 134 do not move with respect to each other as well. - A rotary motor (not shown) is coupled to and drives the
proximal roller 202 in rotation, which in turn recirculates anendless belt 206 about theproximal roller 202 and thedistal roller 204. Crop material cut by the portion of thereciprocating knife 128 located in front of the left frame section 138 falls upon the top surface of theendless belt 206 and is drawn toward the center frame section 140. - The discussion above recites the construction and operation of the left frame section 138,
left side conveyor 130 as well as thecentral conveyor 134 together with the center frame section 140. - The
agricultural harvesting head 104, however, is in all material respects mirror symmetric about a longitudinally and vertically extending plane that passes through a lateral midpoint of the center frame section 140. Thus, the description above regarding the left frame section 138,left side conveyor 130, and center frame section 140, apply equally to the right frame section 142, theright side conveyor 132 and the center frame section 140. For convenience these mirror symmetric components are shown inFig. 3 followed identified by their left side component number followed by a single quotation mark (e.g. 144', 146', 164', 170', 172', 174', and 176'). - As best shown in
Figure 3 , this mirror symmetric arrangement means that both left frame section 138 and the right frame section 142 pivot with respect to the center frame section 140 aboutpivot lines 172 and 172', respectively. Further, both of these pivot axes extend through thecentral aperture 200 of the center frame section 140. - In the discussion above, various components and axes are described as extending in a fore-and-aft direction, or extending in a direction parallel to a direction of travel "V", or extending horizontally or longitudinally, or laterally. During normal operation, these components are expected to move. Typically, they can be pivoted or tilted with respect to each other, with respect to the ground, or with respect to the combine during normal operation and therefore are not precisely horizontal, vertical, longitudinally extending or laterally extending.
Claims (10)
- An agricultural harvesting head (104) for an agricultural harvester (100) comprising:a left frame section (138);a center frame section (140);an upper left link (144) pivotally coupled to the left frame section (138) at a distal end of the upper left link (144) and pivotally coupled to the center frame section (140) at a proximal end of the upper left link (144);a lower left link (146) pivotally coupled to the left frame section (138) at a distal end of the lower left link (146) and pivotally coupled to the center frame section (140) at a proximal end of the lower left link (146);a right frame section (142);an upper right link (144') pivotally coupled to the right frame section (142) at a distal end of the upper right link (144') and pivotally coupled to the center frame section (140) at a proximal end of the upper right link (144'); anda lower right link (146') pivotally coupled to the right frame section (142) at a distal end of the lower right link (146') and pivotally coupled to the center frame section (140) at a proximal end of the lower right link (146'),characterized in that each of the left frame section (138), the center frame section (140), and the right frame section (142) supports a corresponding endless belt conveyor (130, 134, 132);that each endless belt conveyor (130, 132, 132) comprises an endless belt and at least a proximal roller (202) and a distal roller (204) about which the endless belt (206) recirculates;that the proximal roller (202) of the conveyor (130) of the left frame section (138) rotates about an axis of rotation that is collinear with a pivot axis (172) about which the left frame section (138) is constrained to pivot with respect to the center frame section (140); andthat the proximal roller (202) of the conveyor (134) of the right frame section (142) rotates about an axis of rotation that is collinear with a pivot axis (172') about which the right frame section (142) is constrained to pivot with respect to the center frame section (140).
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 1, wherein the upper left link (144) and the lower left link (146) constrain the left frame section (138) to pivot up and down with respect to the center frame section (140) about a first point (170).
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 2, wherein the upper right link (144') and the lower right link (146') constrain the right frame section (142) to pivot up and down with respect to the center frame section (140) about a second point (170').
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 3, wherein the center frame section (140) defines a large central aperture (200) that defines a longitudinally extending cut crop flow path passing through the center frame section (140); and wherein the first point (170) and the second point (170') are disposed inside the large central aperture (200).
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 1, wherein the left frame section (138) is elongate and is coupled to and extends longitudinally away from a left side of the center frame section (140) to which it is coupled, and wherein the right frame section (142) is elongate and is coupled to and extends longitudinally away from a right side of the center frame section (140).
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 1, wherein the left frame section (138), the center frame section (140) and the right frame section (142) have forwardly extending members to which a reciprocating knife (128) is attached.
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 1, wherein the left conveyor (130) is supported on the left frame section (138) and includes a first generally planar upper conveying surface, the right conveyor (132) is supported on the right frame section (142) and includes a second generally planar upper conveying surface, and wherein the first conveying surface and the second conveying surface are coplanar in at least one operating position.
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 1, wherein the upper left link (144) couples the left frame section (138) to the center frame section (140) by attachment to a first pivot joint (148) on the left frame section (138) and by attachment to a second pivot joint (150) on the center frame section (140), wherein the first pivot joint (148) is disposed above the second pivot joint (150).
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 8, wherein the upper right link (144') couples the right frame section (142) to the center frame section (140) by attachment to a third pivot joint on the right frame section (142) and by attachment to fourth pivot joint on the center frame section (140), wherein the third pivot joint is disposed above the fourth pivot joint.
- The agricultural harvesting head (104) of claim 1, wherein the upper left link (144) and the lower left link (146) are coupled to both the left frame section (138) and the center frame section (140) to pivot with respect to each section (138, 140) about generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending pivot axes and/or wherein the upper right link (144') and the lower right link (146') are coupled to both the right frame section (142) and the center frame section (140) to pivot with respect to each section about generally horizontal and fore-and-aft extending pivot axes.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/499,952 US10542669B2 (en) | 2017-04-28 | 2017-04-28 | Multi-section header with offset pivot axis |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3395155A1 EP3395155A1 (en) | 2018-10-31 |
EP3395155B1 true EP3395155B1 (en) | 2020-04-08 |
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ID=62067475
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP18169478.7A Active EP3395155B1 (en) | 2017-04-28 | 2018-04-26 | Multi-section header with offset pivot axis |
Country Status (4)
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US (1) | US10542669B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3395155B1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR102018004521B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE202018006445U1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US10375881B2 (en) * | 2017-05-23 | 2019-08-13 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Agricultural machine with sectional header |
US10433483B2 (en) | 2017-08-21 | 2019-10-08 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Agricultural header with one or more movable wing sections |
US10813289B2 (en) * | 2018-06-05 | 2020-10-27 | Deere & Company | Single top beam folding corn head mainframe |
US11064654B2 (en) * | 2019-05-01 | 2021-07-20 | Deere & Company | Float adjustment |
Family Cites Families (19)
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NL6414183A (en) * | 1964-12-05 | 1966-06-06 | ||
NL6903371A (en) | 1969-03-05 | 1970-09-08 | ||
US4126189A (en) * | 1977-01-21 | 1978-11-21 | Graber Industries, Inc. | Folding tool carrier |
US4487004A (en) * | 1983-06-03 | 1984-12-11 | Kejr Melvin P | Combine harvester apparatus |
CA1267292A (en) | 1986-09-10 | 1990-04-03 | Roger Lee Patterson | Header for a harvesting machine |
DE4103011C2 (en) | 1991-02-01 | 2002-06-20 | Josef Nusser | Mower or hay machine |
US7740084B2 (en) * | 2000-05-02 | 2010-06-22 | Lyn Rosenboom | Agricultural implement frame, track assembly and cart |
IT1315102B1 (en) | 2000-06-30 | 2003-02-03 | Cressoni Spa Flli | CUTTING BAR EQUIPMENT FOR AGRICULTURAL HARVESTING MACHINES |
CA2387898C (en) | 2001-06-18 | 2005-01-11 | Macdon Industries Ltd. | Multi-section header with flexible crop cutting knife |
DE10221983A1 (en) * | 2002-05-17 | 2003-11-27 | Kemper Gmbh Maschf | header |
US7540130B2 (en) * | 2006-03-02 | 2009-06-02 | Deere & Company | Height control for a multi-section cutting platform in an agricultural harvesting machine |
US8635842B2 (en) | 2009-08-05 | 2014-01-28 | Kevin Markt | Flexible row crop header for an agricultural harvester |
US7992372B1 (en) * | 2010-09-16 | 2011-08-09 | Deere & Company | Draper platform with breakaway joint |
US9198353B2 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2015-12-01 | Deere & Company | Hinged row crop harvesting head |
US9072222B2 (en) * | 2012-09-20 | 2015-07-07 | Deere & Company | Self-centering cover for hinged row crop harvesting head |
DE102014009161B4 (en) * | 2014-06-25 | 2023-01-26 | Carl Geringhoff Gmbh & Co. Kg | Cutting unit with central part and adjustable side parts |
BR102016005189B1 (en) * | 2015-03-13 | 2020-11-17 | Cnh Industrial Belgium Nv | AGRICULTURAL HARVESTER |
US10502622B2 (en) * | 2016-06-30 | 2019-12-10 | U.S.A. As Represented By The Administrator Of The National Aeronautics And Space Administration | Detector control and data acquisition with custom application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) |
US10070575B2 (en) * | 2016-08-05 | 2018-09-11 | Cnh Industrial America Llc | Agricultural machine with folding header |
-
2017
- 2017-04-28 US US15/499,952 patent/US10542669B2/en active Active
-
2018
- 2018-03-07 BR BR102018004521-0A patent/BR102018004521B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2018-04-26 DE DE202018006445.9U patent/DE202018006445U1/en active Active
- 2018-04-26 EP EP18169478.7A patent/EP3395155B1/en active Active
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Title |
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None * |
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US20180310472A1 (en) | 2018-11-01 |
BR102018004521A2 (en) | 2018-11-21 |
US10542669B2 (en) | 2020-01-28 |
EP3395155A1 (en) | 2018-10-31 |
BR102018004521B1 (en) | 2022-11-16 |
DE202018006445U1 (en) | 2020-07-06 |
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